We Step Tentatively into Europe (AKA Day 1)
We’re packed into a full coach bus, backpack straps swinging above our heads. I lean on the window, watching Wales and then England role by as Amanda’s ear bud plays a jazz cover of “Thrift Shop” in my left ear. The coach rumbles along and I try not to think of the approaching nervousness of flying or the boy sick in the bathroom three seats ahead of us. Travel is not romantic. I swivel in my seat to see the other three – Bracy and Brenna are asleep, but Connor catches my eye and we each pull our chin to our chest, opening our mouths and eyes wide in a sort of awkward fish look. We laugh and I turn back, settling against Amanda’s shoulder. She’s mouthing the words to an old Hollywood song. I dance along with my shoulders.
Hours later we’re taking off. In an attempt to not freak out I convince myself that this is the Millennium Falcon, we’re in the middle of an X-wing battle, and I have to calm the fuck down and fly this straight. I clasp my hands on an imaginary control lever and get us airborne. It’s an effective method. Obviously.
I’m beside two people from the Czech Republic. They speak little English so I watch the sunset, hoping I don’t look too nerved up. Hot lemon towel scent drifts to our seat from first class, and I peer around the curtain divider to watch the screens displaying our altitude, speed, and distance from Prague. Half way there.
Prague is dark when we arrive. So we navigate the bus (complete with rude driver fed up with Brenna’s lack of understanding concerning the ticket process. Really dude? It’s an airport. This is where the internationals get on), subway, and street to our hostel. We hunt down some tasty late night Asian food (yes, in Prague) and in an attempt to not personify the college aged American tourist, we order with British accents, thus completely personifying the college aged American tourist. Well at least we weren’t wasted.
Day one is complete, and we are exhausted. I fall into bed and stare at the intricate plaster ceiling of our 7 pound hostel.